Not all hotels across the world follow the same policies or rules regarding booking rooms. Some reputed hotels accept prepaid credit cards, but some don’t. People can use their credit card for a reservation but can’t make the whole payment with it.
Hence, most individuals consider using debit cards over credit cards when checking out. However, many hotels let you check in or check out using prepaid cards, and you can’t use them at the time of booking. So, contact the hotel manager to know which payment method they would prefer for a reservation.
Booking a hotel with a prepaid credit card is straightforward. You only need to access the hotel booking site or app. Choose the destination and hotel you want to book from the list. Select the required room numbers and enter the check-in and check-out date.
Navigate to the Payment Method section and select Credit Card from the option list. Enter the correct credit card details and tap on “Complete Reservation”. Your prepaid credit card company will deduct the amount and confirm the hotel booking.
Let’s see why some hotels prefer booking with a credit card and which hotels don’t prefer it:
Why Do Hotels Check Your Prepaid Credit Cards?
Many hotels accept only debit cards and gift cards as the source of payment for booking. However, some require a credit card for making reservations or at check-in. There are primarily 2 reasons why some hotels check credit card information.
Here, we have briefly explained the reasons why hotels require your prepaid credit card:
1. For Charging the Cancelation Fee
Some hotels charge a cancellation fee, for which it is essential to have a prepaid credit card. When does a hotel charge a cancellation fee? Most hotels follow a policy where individuals have to pay the cancellation charge if they don’t back out of the payment method window after making the reservation. Paying the hotel’s cancellation fee seems easier if you have a credit card.
2. For Paying the Charges of Accidental Damages or Theft
Some hotels charge a security deposit to ensure you won’t damage their property. They might charge AED 200-AED 300 as a security deposit when reserving the rooms.
If you cause damage to the hotel TV, furniture or other items, they will deduct the security depot amount from your credit card. Many hotels require a prepaid credit card to cover theft or other incidental charges.
During your stay, many hotels let you use your credit card for additional purchases. For instance, you can pay for the drinks in the hotel’s mini-bar with a credit card. These charges will also be displayed on your monthly credit card bill statement.
Which Hotels Will Accept Your Prepaid Credit Card?
There are only a few hotels that accept prepaid credit cards for booking, check-ins or check-out. Hence, you must know which hotels let you pay with credit cards when planning your business or vacation trips. Here is the list of hotel chains that allow you to book with a credit card:
1. Hyatt
Well, you can make a reservation at any Hyatt hotel if you don’t have a credit card. A prepaid credit card is required for all the bookings made from their website. So, open the Hyatt site, select the room numbers and choose “credit card” as your mode of payment.
2. Radisson
Radisson is another hotel chain that only accepts prepaid credit cards. Hence, if you are booking a room in Radisson Hotels, ensure to pay with a credit card. Debit cards won’t also work in Radisson Hotel Group Americas.
3. Wyndham
You must have heard about Wyndham Hotels, right? They are a leading American hotel company. You will find Wyndham hotels in over 9,280 locations. They also accept only credit cards for the online reservation.
4. Holiday Inn
Holiday Inn is another popular award-winning hotel chain. They have over 1000 hotels across the globe, which are ideal for business customers, families and leisure guests. Holiday Inn accepts only 2 payment methods – prepaid credit and debit cards.
5. Extended Stay
Extended Stay offers luxurious hotel rooms at an affordable price. This company offers amenities like an in-suite kitchen and self-serve laundry. Extended Stay hotels are a great alternative to renting costly apartments. Visit their site, and you will see only 2 payment options: debit and prepaid credit cards.
6. Hotels.Com
Hotels.Com introduced a new payment policy in 2021. Based on that policy, consumers can book a reservation using their prepaid credit or debit card. This hotel chain also accepted PayPal, China UnionPay and Hotels.Com gift cards as payment.
7. Marriott Hotel
Marriott Hotels across the world offer the best deals and packages on suite and room booking. Once you open their site, you will get the destination option and a box to enter the check-in and check-out time. Click “Find Offers” and save up to 30% on your reservation. This hotel also supports prepaid credit cards as a medium of payment.
8. Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels offer comfortable accommodation options at a reasonable price. From economy to luxury hotels, you get it all in Choice Hotels. You might be surprised to know that there are more than 7,100 Choice Hotels locations worldwide. You can book rooms at Choice Hotels easily with prepaid credit cards.
Which Hotels Don’t Accept Prepaid Credit Cards as a Form of Payment?
Many prestigious hotels don’t accept prepaid credit or debit card payments. They only allow you to book a reservation with PayPal payments or using other payment gateway apps. Here is the list of hotels that don’t accept prepaid credit cards:
1. Hilton Hotels
Hilton Hotels lets you book a room from their website, and it also offers a free 24-hour cancellation. Open their site, choose the location and select the number of rooms you wish to reserve. You can then only use your debit card as the form of payment; they don’t accept prepaid credit cards.
2. Hotel Tonight
Hotel Tonight is an eminent travel agency whose website can be accessed from any mobile. Their mobile app is mostly used for last-minute hotel bookings in Australia, Japan, Europe and America. They accept PayPal payments instead of prepaid credit card payments.
3. Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge offers affordable, family-friendly accommodation options. Booking a resort from their website is pretty easy. You only need to go through a few simple and quick steps to get the best rooms with an indoor water park. This hotel chain also doesn’t accept prepaid credit card cards.
4. Priceline Hotel
Priceline offers the best deals and discounts on hotels and helps you save costly booking expenses. They have over 300,000 hotels all over the world. However, Priceline hotels don’t have debit and prepaid credit card payment options.
Is it Essential to Put Your Name on Your Prepaid Credit Card?
There is no need to put your name on your prepaid credit card if you have purchased it for anonymous use. Reloadable credit cards require a security number to be activated. On the other hand, non-reloadable credit cards require a name and address.
Credit card provider companies check these details before giving someone a prepaid card. They use the Address Verification System to check who is purchasing with the credit card. By doing this, they ensure only the card owner is using it for buying any item. Card issuers urge potential users to enter their real name and current address when applying for prepaid cards to minimise risks.
